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Gretta Stark

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Gretta Stark has been a reporter for the River Falls Journal since July of 2013. She previously worked as a reporter for the New Richmond News from June 2012 to July 2013. She holds a BA in Print and Electronic Media from Wartburg College.

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Part of the Trinity Lutheran Church youth group's biggest fundraiser of the year isn't just about raising funds, it's about passing down a tasty piece of Scandinavian Heritage by teaching the youth to make Lefse, Krumkake, Sandbakkels, Rosettes, Pizzelles and Spritz, said Betty Johnson, event coordinator. The fifth annual Trinity Lutheran Holiday and Scandinavian Treat sale treats were cooked recently. The youth began doing their part on Friday, Dec. 8, after school.

Kristine Hartsell is one of the first to admit she's had a lot of trouble in her life, but she also said she wouldn't change a moment of it. "I wouldn't be who I was now if I went back and changed anything," Hartsell said. Hartsell is now completing an internship at Grace Place, but for one month in 2004 she was a resident. Hartsell was just 21 when she moved to Somerset and, after a falling-out with her roommate, found herself in need of a place to stay. Hartsell, originally from South Dakota, didn't even have enough money to drive back home.

St. Croix Central Middle School was filled with students in green and purple gear on Friday, Nov. 30 and not just because of the Packer-Viking game on Sunday. The students showed their support for their favorite of the two teams by bringing non-perishable items for the foods shelf to school.

Sonia Kubesh has resigned from the Roberts Police Department following an internal investigation which was presented to the Roberts Village Board by Police Chief Daniel Burgess during a closed session at the Oct. 25 regular board meeting. "I did not foresee this coming to an end this way," Kubesh said in an interview last week. "It had been a strong thought and intention of mine to possibly retire from the Village of Roberts as a patrol officer." Kubesh signed a mutual employment separation and release agreement with Willard Moeri, Roberts Village Board president, on Nov. 12.

Angels have started to fly around Hammond and Roberts to help make sure local kids have presents this Christmas. Holiday Angels is a local organization that raises money to buy Christmas presents for kids in the St. Croix Central School district that are in need during the holidays. Sandy Goulette, Holiday Angels coordinator, said she's already gotten calls from families asking for help this holiday season. "I believe that I am up to five families right now," Goulette said. Goulette works with Alyssa Matzek, St.

A group that initially formed to help a family whose home burned down in a fire is making an effort to help the community at large through a food shelf drive. Hearts of Hammond is working with several Hammond businesses to collect items for the Roberts Food Pantry this holiday season. The group is collecting non-perishable food items through Christmas and will be delivering them to the Roberts Food Pantry, located at Roberts Congregational United Church of Christ. "I think there's quite a few people in our community that are struggling," said Mark Benton, Hearts of Hammond president.

Instead of taking their usual fall field trip to Fort Snelling, this autumn 101 fifth-graders from St. Croix Central Middle School went to feed some starving children. The St. Croix Central fifth grade class took a trip to Feed My Starving Children in Coon Rapids, Minn. Feed My Starving Children (FMSC) is a nonprofit organization, founded in 1987, with the goal of feeding malnourished children around the world. The organization served approximately 153 million meals to children in 70 countries in 2012, according to its website, www.fmsc.org .

Construction on the new bathroom and concession stand building in the Somerset Village Park should be wrapping up soon, said Bob Gunther of the Somerset Public Works department. "It'll be a nice addition onto that area," Gunther said. The building contains a concession stand portion as well public bathrooms. Gunther said the concession stand portion of the building will be used as a concession stand in the summer and will be converted into a warming house in the winter for families using the ice skating rink.

Traci Libersky had worked as a bartender at Papa B's Lounge in Somerset for four years when she heard the business was for sale. Libersky said she had long hoped to own her own bar and she jumped at the opportunity. "It just kind of fell into our laps and we went for it," Libersky said. Libersky now co-owns Papa B's Lounge with her husband Shawn. The Liberskys said they will officially change the bar's name to T-Buckets when they are able to purchase a new sign for the building.